Chapter 43: • Dream Of Three Kobolds

Spheris found himself awake some time later.

He was unsure of how long he had been out or what had happened while he was out, the only thing he seemed sure of was that something was not right. The cave was not... the same.

As he stood to his feet, he realized that the sting in his leg had vanished, and replacing it was a sense of disorientation and confusion.

The darkness of the cave seemed to intensify, and gazing around, it felt like he was wading through a thick fog. Where was the slain Queen Scorpion? Was this even the same cave or had he somehow [Leaped] to someplace else when he was in slumber?

He looked ahead, and could feel the three passageways gaping at him. He was surely still in the cave, yet it felt latterly surreal, as though he had stepped into a dream beneath another dream.

Amidst the darkness, Spheris caught sight of a dim flicker of firelight up ahead in the middle tunnel. 'That's strange.' he thought. He saw that his own fire had gone off quite a long time ago. Intrigued and wary, he approached cautiously, his senses on high alert.

Drawing closer, Spheris could see three figures huddled around the flames. Strange figures they were — petite and hunched, with gnarled frameworks covered by darkish blue garments blending into the darkness around them.

He could hear them murmuring to each other. Whatever their conversation was, they seemed very serious about it. Their voices were in stern whispers, and Spheris could feel the graveness from where he stood.

With apprehension and curiosity, he edged closer and closer until he was a few feet away from the strange figures. They disregarded his presence and continued to chatter amongst themselves in their hushed whispers. Could they not see him?

He walked closer and closer until he was standing directly behind one of them. Yet, they continued to speak like he was not there.

'What?'

Spheris cleared his throat, hoping that would catch their attention. But it didn't. Finally, he spoke up. "Hello."

The figures suddenly fell silent, then their gaze turned towards him with a dallying intensity that sent shivers down Spheris's spine. They resembled crones — hateful, elderly women, with faces mixed of mysticism, terror and ancient wisdom. He felt their lavender eyes pierce into his soul with their unsettling gazes.

"Ah," one spoke. "It is he."

"The boy in the night." another said.

"Temple of the Dark God." the last added.

Spheris couldn't understand what their haunting words meant, and so he introduced himself. "My name is Spheris, I seek passage out of this cave."

"You are known, boy." one replied.

"We know who you are."

"You are what we know."

The boy furrowed his brows at the three strange women. His curiousity wanted him to ask them who they were and what they meant, but all he cared about was how they got in to the cave, and how he could leave. "Do you know a way out?"

They all seemed to smile at him. "Is that all you seek? A way out?"

"No. He seeks power as well."

"Yes, power is what he seeks."

Spheris grimaced. "Power? I do not seek power."

"Ah, the boy says he seeks not power."

"He lies." One of them snarled, pointing her dreaded finger at him with accusation.

"We said you are what we know."

Feeling frustrated, Spheris gazed at each of the strange women. What were they anyway? They didn't look human with their long ears, bony figures, long fingers and dwarfish body. And why were they speaking after the other like they were reciting a play?

"I only seek passage out of this hollow," he declared. "I need to know how you three found your way inside here. That is all."

"He has spoken to you, has he not?" the first one asked.

Spheris's brows furrowed.

"The Dark God himself."

"Obsidian."

His grimace widened, becoming more dire as he gazed at all three of the strange women. How did they know that? Who were these women?

"You must do well not to listen."

"The Celestial can not be trusted."

"Plans for himself he has."

"Plans for the Realm."

"The perfect Temple is what you are."

"Naive, angry, lusting for power."

"The Dark God will use your lust."

"Your anger."

"Your naivety."

"Your rage."

"The Dark God can not be trusted."

For a moment, there was nothing but silence, broken only by the crackling of the fire and the distant echo of a dripping liquid. Spheris's mind raced with questions, quite a lot of them. But despite the cloudiness in his head, he managed to ask the only question that he truly cared about in that moment.

"I just want to leave this godsforsaken cave," he muttered. "Are you going to help me or not?"

The ancient women gave each other knowing glances before they turned to him, their eerie faces becoming even more portentous.

"Do not go out, young Bearer," they all spoke at once, their voices blending together in a haunting chorus. "Go through."

Spheris frowned. The answer only seemed to confuse him the more rather than to clarify anything. But before he could delve deeper, one of the crones placed a finger on his chest. "Go now, you must." And she pushed him.

He fell weightlessly, his body blurred into slow motion, his head began to spin, and the world around him started to fade. The firelight flickered and dimmed until there was nothing but the darkness.

And then with a start, Spheris awoke.

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